Cheers To A Great 2020 Ahead! Fr Muller Medical College hosts Alumni Reunion & Vicennial Celebration in Gusto
Mangaluru : At Reunion of classmates, it’s always a history, where past memories are shared and cherished. Yes, Reunions-they can be excitedly anticipated or painfully dreaded. Either way, the first hour or so can be awkward as classmates shuffle in from all over. Reunions should include time for catching up and renewing old relationships. Getting past that awkward hour will get a little easier, if there is lots of fun and easy reunion ice breaker games. And for that matter, the reunion or call it a get-together of a bunch of classmates who shared the same classroom or may be shared the same benches came together to have a social night out, at the Father Muller Medical College “Alumni Reunion”, and “Vicennial Celebration” held on Friday, 27 December 2019 at the Father Muller Convention Centre Mini Dine Hall at 8 pm.
Yes, Class Reunions or Alumnae Reunions are a chance to brag about what they may or may not of accomplished. In some there is the fear of what has not been accomplished. And there are some, that are just interested on how far people have come. There is also a chance to look at the humorous side of things. Spending time looking at the fashion and the hair in old photos, and is also a chance to look back at some of the stupid things that were done while being classmates. For these alumni of FMMC who had studied at their Alma mater got together to cherish the moments and fun that they had when they were students of this prestigious institution. They came from Bengaluru, Kerala, from all over Karnataka, from around India just to share the reminiscences of their college fun days.
It was a nostalgic journey down the memory lane for these classmates/college mates who came together for the Reunion Bash. The memoirs of yester years were once again rejuvenated as they all shared their memories of those olden, youthful, cheerful days full of happiness and joy. These were the people who were involved in an important college years of their lives. Aside from all of the activities and fun at college, everyone had a place in the memories they made there. Where the heck did the time even go? It doesn’t matter if you were the class clown, a bookworm, or the most popular person in your institution. When you all head back to a Reunion, it’s almost like you’re reintroducing yourself, because with passing time, you have changed. Yes, it is all so surreal. While you may not need help remembering the good ole days, you have to make sure the right words characterize the extreme feels you’re going to get standing next to your college buddies, all grown up? Anyways, looking back in your photo albums, your pics are going to be a time capsule for that moment — the day you thought would take forever to come when you graduated.
“Once A Mullerian, Will Always Remain a Mullerian”- and so it was, for all these Mullerains in pride meeting together and cherishing their good old days at the FMMC, and rejoicing on their achievements that their Alma mater was responsible- and the most joyous Mullerians in the audience were the one from the FIRST batch of MBBS of FMMC which started in the year 1999, and this year being 20 years in existence, the “VICENNIAL” was celebrated. Even though the Alumni has grown into 810 members, but being a December month was not the appropriate time for this Reunion Bash, since the gathering was low, due to other functions/activities people have to attend to. Anyways the crowd was predominately mixed, with young and old, gents and females, boys and girls, who were joined by a bevy of Catholic priests of Father Muller Charitable Institutions- where everyone had a jolly good time.
Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God and listening to His voice in the depths of our heart. The Alumni Reunion Party began with a Audio prayer song invoking God’s blessings, followed by welcome address by Dr Gansh-the President of the Alumni Association. Dr. Nicole, Member Secretary of the Father Muller Alumni Association presented the General Body Meeting minutes for the academic year 2018-2019. The dignitaries seated on the dais were- Fr. Richard Coelho, Director -Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Fr. Ajith B. Menezes ,Administrator -Father Muller Medical College; Dr. Ganesh, Dr. Nicole, and Dr Oliver- the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Father Muller Alumni Association respectively.
Then came the time to felicitate three dedicated and committed persons who rendered selfless service at FMCI- they were Dr. Sanjeev Rai – Chief of Research, Father Muller Medical College (Dr. Archana Bhat, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, FMMC read out the citation, Dr. Caroline D’souza, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, felicitated Dr RaI by draping a shawl as a mark of respect, Dr. Caren D’souza, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery,FMMC presented a hamper of fruits; Dr. Nanjesh, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, handed over a memento, and Dr. Archana handed over the citation)-followed by a group photo.
The Second person to be felicitated was Fr. Rudolph Ravi D’sa – Administrator of the Father Muller Medical College Hospital and Alumni of the Father Muller Medical College- Masters of Hospital Administration ( Dr. Nandakishore, Consultant Urologist,FMMC read out the citation; Dr. Ganesh M. K. , Consultant Gastroenterologist, felicitated Fr. D’sa by draping a shawl as a sign of respect; Dr. Nameeth D’souza Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreo Retinal Surgeon,FMMC presented a basket of fruits; Dr. Jenu James Chakola, Consultant Interventional Radiologist,FMMC handed over a memento; and Dr. Nanda kishore handed over the citation)-followed by group photo.
The Third person to be felicitated was Mrs. Hilda Pinto, Assistant Professor of the Department of Microbiology and the Department of Lab. Tech. Father Muller Medical College ( Dr. Kusuma, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology,FMMC read out the citation; Dr. Deepthi Bhava, Consultant Gynecologist, Head of IVF department at Aster Hospital Bangalore and Syndicate member of the RGUHS, felicitated her with a shawl; Dr. Dilshad Shetty, Area Medical Head and Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Oliva Skin and Hair Clinic, Bangalore, presented the basket of fruits; Dr. Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, Consultant and in charge, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Hospital– Mangaluru and Manipal Hospital, Goa, handed over a memento; and Dr. Kusuma handed over the citation), followed by group photo.
Now it was time for Interactive Session, and the the first person to share his experiences being a student at FMMC was Dr. Nanjesh, presently a Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, K. S. Hegde Medical College Hospital, Deralakatte, Mangaluru. Dr Nanjesh with his witty interaction took the audience into a world of laughter, and with his hilarious punchlines made Him the Star Attraction of the evening. He attributed his gratitude to FMMC for its Discipline and Morals, which made him a better and responsible person. The other two expressed their thoughts were Dr. Caroline D’souza , Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Falnir Health Centre, Mangaluru; and Dr. Jeedhu Radhakrishnan Consultant and in charge, Department of emergency medicine, KMCH – Mangalore and Manipal Hospital, Goa.
In his presidential address, Fr. Richard Coelho, Director Father Muller Charitable Institutions said, “FMMC has come a long way since its inception in 1999, and its a great moment this year to celebrate it Vicennial with pride. Meeting up with people from FMMC gives us a little piece of the past back. And no matter how much things have changed and continue to do so, we’ll always remember the people we shared those golden years with.That’s the fun of going to a Reunion: it’s seeing the people who you were close to all those years ago, and re-exploring the relationships of the past. Reunion reveals friendship potential that haven’t yet been emerged in the past. And Alumni Association of FMMC has done a great job by hosting this Alumni Reunion ans also the Vicennial Celebration. Let’s hope for a better future and more fun in 2020, and I wish you all good luck and happiness ahead”.
Yes, thanks are the highest form of thought and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder- Dr. Oliver D’souza, Treasurer of the Father Muller Alumni Association expressed this wonder proposing the vote of thanks, and the entire programme was meticulously and professionally compered by Dr. Krista Pinto of the MBBS Batch of 2014. Dr. Nicole and Dr. Joylene D’Almeida were the emcees for the second half of the programme. Following the Institution Anthem, it was all party time at the social/fellowship accompanied by a sumptuous dinner. While the audience were socializing, they were treated with couple of mesmerizing Bollywood dances by a City’s dance group- and “STAR ENTERTAINERS” of the cultural session were the Husband and Wife Duo- Dr Uday Kumar K., Medical Superintendent, FMMCH, and Dr Padmaja Udaya Kumar- Vice Dean-FMMC, whose Hindi and Kannada songs rocked the audience, and shook their hips?
In conclusion, in my perspective- Happiness is being with an old college-mate after a long time and feeling like nothing has changed. It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re twenty one and planning for someday, and then quietly and without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and that someday is yesterday. And this is your life. Sometimes you have to accept the fact that certain things will never go back to how they used to be. Sometimes, even when you’re having a good time, you can’t help but stop and think about how much you miss the old times.We have had a good time while we were young, but it is in the nature of Time to fly. We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. In the end, you always go back to the people that were there in the beginning.
The memoirs of yester years were once again rejuvenated as they all shared their memories of those olden, youthful, cheerful days full of happiness and joy. To enliven the atmosphere there was not only fun and frolic,also lots of friendship cum fellowship, together with a sumptuous spread of food that added spice to the occasion. On the lighter side of vein-“Reunion after long separation is even better than one’s wedding night”- this FMMC Alumni Reunion and Vicennial Celebration of songs, dance and Social Spree in full swing, the party raved till 11 pm and the FMMC alumni/ae finally reluctantly bid goodbye to each other, while specifically asking for more such reunions to be organized and draw plans to repay their Alma Mater in the best way possible.